What if most people actually liked the serious story of GTA IV?

[Crimson Flam3s]

 

 

GTA IV took itself seriously. There was alot of dark comedy if you paid attention but it took no shortcut on the story it was telling and in turn churned out one of the best stories I've ever played in a game. If you ask me GTA V went too much into Saints Row territory. I would say most gamers are casual gamers, and casual gamers like to do what in GTA...run around killing people and being complete morons. Look to any GTA Youtube channel for validation on that point. GTA IV, while it could be played like that...really didn't feel right for Niko, a character with a strong moral compass and principals above getting money. Rockstar obliged these casuals with GTA V though. Unrealistic cars, a plethora of underpowered guns, and a whole character pretty much designed for 12 year olds to carry out their tyrannical fantasies. This is why the story is complete garbage and Rockstar caters to the online crowd. They know that's where their casuals are. I grew up playing GTA, I've seen the best and the worst of it, and I loved GTA IV for its grimy realism and deep plot. Then GTA V went and screwed it all up. I truly do wish it was better received, and in hindsight, maybe Rockstar will realize that GTA IV was a step in the right direction.

It's actually funny when you think about it. GTA IV is often regarded as being too dark and serious yet to me it has some of the most genuinely hilarious moments in the series without feeling like it's trying too hard. Some of the conversations between Niko and Vlad make me laugh harder than anything else from the 3D era and GTA V.

 

You know what GTA V reminds of sometimes? It reminds me some of those over the top parodies like Disaster Movie, Meet The Spartans etc that rely on sexual innuendos every few minutes to try and get laugh out of the audience. GTA IV reminds me of the dry and dark humour from Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs.

Yokel!

 

Lol dark humor thag isn't so obvious is the best imo.

 

Why do people think if VI was darker, they would go away with planes and over the top stuff? Who gives a sh*t if a jetpack doesn't fit the dark story, if R* really want it there then it will happen.

 

People act like a lot of stuff missing in IV is due to the dark story but it's actually engine/console limitations.

[CarnageRacing00]

It seems to be that with the HD Universe Rockstar wanted to move GTA into a more darker and serious direction (as shown with GTA IV) but then because many didn't like it they went back to the craziness of SA with GTA V

 

I like GTA IV's style a lot more but V is also very fun

 

I was just wondering how different GTA V would be if GTA IV was better received by the fans

Would a darker story even fit Los Santos?

 

It would be a very different game. I suppose I'm one of the few people on this forum who got the tone Rockstar was going for - maybe it's an age bracket thing, I dunno, but I was totally convinced of the world GTA V was painting - a narcissistic, paranoid, hypocritic society full of people completely devoid of any sense of real purpose in life. That's what I took away from V. That's a pretty spot-on portrait of Los Angeles.

[90sGTA]

 

Seriously, I thought video games were supposed to be about fun and entertainment. When did seriousness even mattered in video gaming?

 

lol at this guy

whats so wrong about a good story?

 

I never said/implied/alluded/insinuated there was anything wrong with a good story. I'm just saying that since when did video games be more about seriousness than entertainment?

Edited February 11, 2015 by 90sGTA

[Algonquin Assassin]

 

 

Seriously, I thought video games were supposed to be about fun and entertainment. When did seriousness even mattered in video gaming?

 

lol at this guy

whats so wrong about a good story?

 

I never said/implied/alluded/insinuated there was anything wrong with a good story. I'm just saying that since when did video games be more about seriousness than entertainment?

 

 

Well here's a mind f*ck I don't think "seriousness" and entertainment have to be mutually exclusive. For example I found Heavy Rain entertaining even though it had a serious context. In most cases I find games grounded to reality (GTA IV. RDR, TLAD etc) to be more entertaining to be honest.

[woggleman]

 

It seems to be that with the HD Universe Rockstar wanted to move GTA into a more darker and serious direction (as shown with GTA IV) but then because many didn't like it they went back to the craziness of SA with GTA V

 

I like GTA IV's style a lot more but V is also very fun

 

I was just wondering how different GTA V would be if GTA IV was better received by the fans

Would a darker story even fit Los Santos?

 

It would be a very different game. I suppose I'm one of the few people on this forum who got the tone Rockstar was going for - maybe it's an age bracket thing, I dunno, but I was totally convinced of the world GTA V was painting - a narcissistic, paranoid, hypocritic society full of people completely devoid of any sense of real purpose in life. That's what I took away from V. That's a pretty spot-on portrait of Los Angeles.

 

This is what I got from it as well and why I enjoy the humor. It is so spot on about modern day society. The best humor is one that is true and I find V's satire to be very true. Michael and Amanda is the most accurate picture of modern marriage I have seen recently. You can't get any more realistic than him not being able to have sex with her.

[Homemade Dynamite]

 

 

Seriously, I thought video games were supposed to be about fun and entertainment. When did seriousness even mattered in video gaming?

 

lol at this guy

whats so wrong about a good story?

 

I never said/implied/alluded/insinuated there was anything wrong with a good story. I'm just saying that since when did video games be more about seriousness than entertainment?

 

You sound like those old people who act like cartoons (or animation, I prefer that term) should be nothing but slapstick jokes with no real plot or serious character development.

[woggleman]

 

 

 

Seriously, I thought video games were supposed to be about fun and entertainment. When did seriousness even mattered in video gaming?

 

lol at this guy

whats so wrong about a good story?

 

I never said/implied/alluded/insinuated there was anything wrong with a good story. I'm just saying that since when did video games be more about seriousness than entertainment?

 

You sound like those old people who act like cartoons (or animation, I prefer that term) should be nothing but slapstick jokes with no real plot or serious character development.

 

And some of the people on this forum act like stuffy highbrows with no sense of humor who don't know how to laugh.

[Crimson Flam3s]

Some people say a more realistic and dark story would imply a similar treatment to the gameplay, let's look at this:

 

People forget that when things are more bent on realism, depending on the subject matter, it also adds a dimension of randomness.

 

When something is arcadeish, it has artifical rules that wouldn't happen with the real life counterpart. That makes it more repetitive and predictable.

 

This is one reason why some people would rather have a less arcadeish driving physics, and better wanted system instead of the overly simplified and predictable system that is in place. Most people would rather play some advanced mode onlie with objectives than a deathmatch over and over due to how unpredictable it is, Cops and Crooks is the prime example of this.

 

So overall, there needs to a balance. Arcadeish is fun but gets old quick and realistic can feel like a chore. Why not an in between?

[Drunken Cowboy]

We already have a near identical thread up like this, can we lock one? (Preferably the one I DIDN'T already write my long-winded response on.)

[Osho]

It seems to be that with the HD Universe Rockstar wanted to move GTA into a more darker and serious direction (as shown with GTA IV) but then because many didn't like it they went back to the craziness of SA with GTA V. I was just wondering how different GTA V would be if GTA IV was better received by the fans Would a darker story even fit Los Santos?

I think IV was the first HD take simply because of how GTA III was their first take into the 3D.

They decided to move forward acknowledging the modern times, and draw in new modern gamers to the already huge fan base. So, it makes perfect sense to me that through GTA IV, they decided to try something different and bring a change to the direction not only in gameplay that was quite innovative but also leave behind its cartoony image and dropping many of the series' unrealistic elements.

That's all there's to it. These changes are not set in stone for HD Universe. They will do everything with their each new game in order to make "perfect sense" and justify its overall appeal.

So I don't believe they WANT to move GTA into some serious direction rather they WANTED to make sure they have gone closer to realism, and as a result, everything else as well. Be it story, characters, setting, etc. The fact they haven't sticked with a lot of serious, and darker approach again with GTA V is the proof of that. Simply because they wanted to bring GTA V as closer to realism of its overall setting and match the experience similar to what its classic GTA SA is known for its action and craziness, and which makes "perfect sense" for its modern rendition.

Unfortunately people think that because of IV criticisms they went back to SA craziness which is stupid thinking IMO.

I believe only one thing and that's if IV was well received outside the story then the gameplay would have been quite different and better in GTA V by sticking with IV as far as what they introduced in terms of general improvements gameplay-wise.

 

For me Rockstar simply failed to keep the beauty of the classic GTA SA in V in order to cater a mass audience and also due to ONLINE as well.

 

Fans may have disliked the serious story in IV. But it was not the story rather the content and odd restrictions experienced for the first time over the sandbox world their predecessors gave a sense of freedom outside of the story which didn't exceed in my case with IV.

[zeppelincheetah]

I think the only GTA's with good story are GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas. The reason for this is the content of the story matches with the gameplay. A lot of people like me didn't like GTA IV not because it wasn't serious but because it wasn't good. The III-era games' stories were so much better because they were a bit hokey and would often poke fun at themselves. I think V's story is pretty much exactly like IV's in its bland trying-too-hard-to-be good way. It's IV with better toppings. I think, for GTA VI to be good it should be the right mix of funny and serious. They should bring in better writers. Sam and Dan were perfect for III era stuff but from IV on they've been a drag.

 

And another thing, GTA games should have WAY less emphasis on story. I feel restricted to these stories and less liberated, like it's a bland interactive movie with a giant sandbox to play in. The story of the game should unravel based on the character's (and thus the Player's) actions, not the other way around. I would like GTA VI to be more like GTA 1 and 2 in terms of more of a hands off approach to the story. It wasn't one continuous thread. You coud play whatever missons in whatever order you wanted to. I want to be able to tell my own story, by my own decisons. To deal meth or cocaine, unlocking certain contacts depending on which. There always will be a sort of overarcing storyline but the rest of the story should be much more fluid. I also miss unlocking areas. In the past this was done because of technical limits, but it was so much more rewarding to unlock a new area than to just have it all from the start.

 

There hasn't been a good game with a good story since gen 6, and that's because the medium fit the game. Whatever happened to imagination in gaming and a truly interesting gaming experience? Maybe I am too old to enjoy games. I am 30 now and I feel the same way about stupid comedies and rehash after rehash of the same kind of movie (although the kid in me desperately wants to see Furious 7).

[PhillBellic]

I preferred the story in IV. It was at the very least, consistent.

[TrinityKiller]

GTA VI was a reality baised mature story.

 

GTA V was more of a cartoon baised mature story.

Edited February 11, 2015 by TrinityKiller

[J Cobra]

I actually liked the storyline. Laughs here, seriousness there.

[Journey_95]

I think there would be some happier people of the story was darker, others who don't care either way.

 

V is a challenge to imagine as a dark serious game now, you could have Michael more depressed, frowning all the time. Franklin isn't exactly Chris Rock so he would sit ok In a serious world. Trevor though, he's a comedy psycho, real psycho is a bit harder to market, nobody wants the game to be called a Charles Manson sim.

 

I'm guessing the ending would be Michael hanging himself, slowly swinging. Franklin shot by ballas, just laying down looking at the sky, slowly fading away, like some political message about gangs. Trevor would go to prison and get the chair. Happy.

I don't get how having more of a serious and consistent story automatically means that everything goes depressive and extreme

you post is just silly GTA V could still have planes etc. and the characters would also be similiar it would only tell a good story

 

as opposed to being a constant parody

Madrazzo wouldn't be a joke then maybe kidnapping his wife would have consequence

The trio's wouldn't get a cop out happy ending

Michaels family wouldn't be stolen from a sitcom

Trevor would actually feel more betrayed by Michael and not suddenly be his best bro again

the antagonists wouldn't be so laughable but more menacing like Dimitri

etc.

 

my favourite mission in the game (bury the hatchet) shows that the story could have been a lot better but then of course suddenly the Triads show up

still a great moment that has tension (Trevor vs Michael) sadly their conflict becomes a joke in the ending

Edited February 11, 2015 by Journey_95

[CarlitoDorito]

I mean a realistic story, in the real world, the characters would probably end up like that lol You can have a serious story about stupid things but not a realistic story.

Edited February 11, 2015 by CarlitoDorito

[Luddite]

It isn't all too serious. there's enough peripheral tongue-in-cheek nuances to lighten the mood and remind you.

 

A story can be funny and not seem like it was writtten by Seth Rogen and James Franco.

[Son of Zeus]

Modern day parody is done, now R* need to go back in time again.

[Journey_95]

I mean a realistic story, in the real world, the characters would probably end up like that lol You can have a serious story about stupid things but not a realistic story.

yeah but who cares about real world?

GTA IV wasn't realisitc either it was serious but it also had some dark humor

whats more important is that it was consistent

 

also the fact that there was no mission variety or not much to do doesn't have anything to do with the story

it was Rockstars first game for Xbox 360/PS3 back and a big step up from a graphics perspective so it wasn't easy

 

GTA V could have had a serious enough story with all the fun gameplay

sadly its a constant parody instead (like someone called it here it has an idently crisis)

[CarlitoDorito]

They said the reason Niko didn't do things like parachuting, having the mad weapons and the other San andreas things was because of his age at the time. They seem obsessed with keeping in character now, a serious story and character means they do serious and less fun things. Unless they change their minds anyway.

 

I think it's meant to be a parody.

Edited February 11, 2015 by CarlitoDorito

[helpplease]

Vice City Stories had a dark depressing story and theme. More so than GTA 4 IMO.

 

GTA 4 plot just happened to suck. Dont get me wrong the script was excellent -as was the voice acting- but there was too much filler, especially in the final 3rd of the game. There was a lot of stupid in it too like Niko complaining about not having money "IF it PAyZ" despite having previously robbed a bank for 250k. And what about that mission where he has to kill 2 bikers and instead of just shooting them he warns them proceeding to chase them down? STUPID.

 

Vice City Stories- as a plot and in terms of missions- was perfect. It flowed really well. GTA 4 didn't flow very well hence why a common complaint was how boring it was.

 

That's not to say we all want San Andreas. We just want it to be done better and not bore the crap out of us.

I think the only GTA's with good story are GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas. The reason for this is the content of the story matches with the gameplay. A lot of people like me didn't like GTA IV not because it wasn't serious but because it wasn't good. The III-era games' stories were so much better because they were a bit hokey and would often poke fun at themselves. I think V's story is pretty much exactly like IV's in its bland trying-too-hard-to-be good way. It's IV with better toppings. I think, for GTA VI to be good it should be the right mix of funny and serious. They should bring in better writers. Sam and Dan were perfect for III era stuff but from IV on they've been a drag.

 

And another thing, GTA games should have WAY less emphasis on story. I feel restricted to these stories and less liberated, like it's a bland interactive movie with a giant sandbox to play in. The story of the game should unravel based on the character's (and thus the Player's) actions, not the other way around. I would like GTA VI to be more like GTA 1 and 2 in terms of more of a hands off approach to the story. It wasn't one continuous thread. You coud play whatever missons in whatever order you wanted to. I want to be able to tell my own story, by my own decisons. To deal meth or cocaine, unlocking certain contacts depending on which. There always will be a sort of overarcing storyline but the rest of the story should be much more fluid. I also miss unlocking areas. In the past this was done because of technical limits, but it was so much more rewarding to unlock a new area than to just have it all from the start.

 

There hasn't been a good game with a good story since gen 6, and that's because the medium fit the game. Whatever happened to imagination in gaming and a truly interesting gaming experience? Maybe I am too old to enjoy games. I am 30 now and I feel the same way about stupid comedies and rehash after rehash of the same kind of movie (although the kid in me desperately wants to see Furious 7).

San Andreas had a good plot? Hmmm ok.

[MrDeSanta]

Trevor is the main reason for silly over the top bullsh*t in V`s story. He dumbs down every single moment in the story whenever he appears. His silly, stupid dialogues, annoying picking on Michael, his forced and fake voice acting and everything.

If Trevor wasn`t in this game then the whole theme would actually be more serious and believable.

 

But Rockstar wanted to create a comic character like Trevor to entertain their child fanbase while they seemed to completelly forget the fact that adults plays this game as well.

[helpplease]

Trevor is the main reason for silly over the top bullsh*t in V`s story. He dumbs down every single moment in the story whenever he appears. His silly, stupid dialogues, annoying picking on Michael, his forced and fake voice acting and everything.

If Trevor wasn`t in this game then the whole theme would actually be more serious and believable.

 

But Rockstar wanted to create a comic character like Trevor to entertain their child fanbase while they seemed to completelly forget the fact that adults plays this game as well.

....or that legally only adults can play the game.

[90sGTA]

 

 

 

Seriously, I thought video games were supposed to be about fun and entertainment. When did seriousness even mattered in video gaming?

 

lol at this guy

whats so wrong about a good story?

 

I never said/implied/alluded/insinuated there was anything wrong with a good story. I'm just saying that since when did video games be more about seriousness than entertainment?

 

You sound like those old people who act like cartoons (or animation, I prefer that term) should be nothing but slapstick jokes with no real plot or serious character development.

 

Why the assumptions? All I did was ask about the concept of video games. What does it matter if the games aren't "serious"? I thought video games were about fun and entertainment. Just because a game isn't "serious", does that make it bad?

[Crimson Flam3s]

Trevor is the main reason for silly over the top bullsh*t in V`s story. He dumbs down every single moment in the story whenever he appears. His silly, stupid dialogues, annoying picking on Michael, his forced and fake voice acting and everything.

If Trevor wasn`t in this game then the whole theme would actually be more serious and believable.

 

But Rockstar wanted to create a comic character like Trevor to entertain their child fanbase while they seemed to completelly forget the fact that adults plays this game as well.

 

I think it was the events fault, not trevor's. I thought he was hilarious sometimes but him being out of the story would not change the theme one bit.

 

Instead if michael/trevor had killed hanes, and those fbi f*ckers and became enemies near the end with ending B.. that would have been better. The lame "villains", and barely believable ending c was more of an issue than a single character.

 

I never really cared too much about the story in gta, until V.. probably due to the lack of sp activities lol

[Algonquin Assassin]

And what about that mission where he has to kill 2 bikers and instead of just shooting them he warns them proceeding to chase them down? STUPID.

 

I can say that about every chase mission in the series. Why don't the protagonists just kill their targets there and then instead of going on a goose chase? The answer is obvious. R* obviously want us to have fun.

 

I agree about the way Niko insists he needs money despite already having plenty of it. I've always felt there should've been a debt reduction system of sorts however this is just nitpicking IMO. What did you expect him to do? Shoot and kill them on the spot and mission passed? Then you complain about how boring GTA IV is. That doesn't sound very exciting at all.

 

I'll take the original mission structure over what you're implying any day.

[woggleman]

 

And what about that mission where he has to kill 2 bikers and instead of just shooting them he warns them proceeding to chase them down? STUPID.

 

I can say that about every chase mission in the series. Why don't the protagonists just kill their targets there and then instead of going on a goose chase? The answer is obvious. R* obviously want us to have fun.

 

I agree about the way Niko insists he needs money despite already having plenty of it. I've always felt there should've been a debt reduction system of sorts however this is just nitpicking IMO. What did you expect him to do? Shoot and kill them on the spot and mission passed? Then you complain about how boring GTA IV is. That doesn't sound very exciting at all.

 

I'll take the original mission structure over what you're implying any day.

 

This I agree but instead of a debt system there should have been more to spend money on. Maybe vehicles and property.

[Algonquin Assassin]

 

 

And what about that mission where he has to kill 2 bikers and instead of just shooting them he warns them proceeding to chase them down? STUPID.

 

I can say that about every chase mission in the series. Why don't the protagonists just kill their targets there and then instead of going on a goose chase? The answer is obvious. R* obviously want us to have fun.

 

I agree about the way Niko insists he needs money despite already having plenty of it. I've always felt there should've been a debt reduction system of sorts however this is just nitpicking IMO. What did you expect him to do? Shoot and kill them on the spot and mission passed? Then you complain about how boring GTA IV is. That doesn't sound very exciting at all.

 

I'll take the original mission structure over what you're implying any day.

 

This I agree but instead of a debt system there should have been more to spend money on. Maybe vehicles and property.

 

 

The only reason I suggested that is because of how Roman finds himself in debt, but buying vehicles and properties wouldn't have hurt.

[Zello]

Trevor is the main reason for silly over the top bullsh*t in V`s story. He dumbs down every single moment in the story whenever he appears. His silly, stupid dialogues, annoying picking on Michael, his forced and fake voice acting and everything.

If Trevor wasn`t in this game then the whole theme would actually be more serious and believable.

 

But Rockstar wanted to create a comic character like Trevor to entertain their child fanbase while they seemed to completelly forget the fact that adults plays this game as well.

Why all the hate for Trevor? Sure he comes across as silly and probably aimed at a younger immature audience but don't blame it all on him. V could have been better I just blame the writing. If V had better writing Trevor could have been a powerful emotional character like Niko.

[Journey_95]

 

Trevor is the main reason for silly over the top bullsh*t in V`s story. He dumbs down every single moment in the story whenever he appears. His silly, stupid dialogues, annoying picking on Michael, his forced and fake voice acting and everything.

If Trevor wasn`t in this game then the whole theme would actually be more serious and believable.

 

But Rockstar wanted to create a comic character like Trevor to entertain their child fanbase while they seemed to completelly forget the fact that adults plays this game as well.

Why all the hate for Trevor? Sure he comes across as silly and probably aimed at a younger immature audience but don't blame it all on him. V could have been better I just blame the writing. If V had better writing Trevor could have been a powerful emotional character like Niko.

 

yeah I agree he had a lot of potential sadly they went the predictable route with him

oh how I miss Niko and GTA IV in general

 

back then Rockstar had some good writers